The role of block building in children's learning was studied by a student teacher who observed a teacher's block building curriculum in a combined first and second grade class. The purpose was to clarify the linkage between thinking and doing, spoken intention and actual consequences, and planning and spontaneity in the curriculum. The cycle of…

A collection of articles on the lifelong process of motor development focuses on: (1) neural changes in lifespan motor development; (2) the effects of developmental memory differences on learning motor skills; (3) physical growth and motor performance; (4) motor development in children with learning disabilities; (5) a motor development program…

In cooperative learning, as opposed to competitive and individualistic learning, students work together to accomplish shared goals. It is the most important of the three types of learning, but least used. Research indicates students will learn more, like school better, like each other better, and learn more effective social skills when cooperative…

In most classrooms science has been presented as an inert body of knowledge to be assimilated rather than a process of inquiry and a way to make sense of our world. This traditional approach has allowed teachers to cover a great many topics but the quality of learning that it has yielded has proven disappointing. This article outlines some major…

Intended as a memorial to Robert G. Sidnell, this special issue contains articles about areas of music education which he promoted. In "The Dimensions of Research in Music Education," Sidnell concluded that music education research encompasses all humanistic disciplines as well as the behavioral and social sciences. James Carlsen, in…

Although ability partly explains why some students are eager to learn in school whereas others are disinterested, motivation is another significant factor. This newsletter discusses factors that affect students' motivation to learn, considers techniques that can increase motivation, and identifies schools that have developed activities to enhance…

The 29 abstracts in this volume describe innovative approaches to teaching and learning in the community college. Topics covered include the following: (1) strategies for providing management training to faculty and staff; (2) activities to help developmental mathematics students overcome obstacles to success in mathematics; (3) incorporating…

This article discusses how to determine the learning style of a child with learning problems and how to use the information to maximize the child's potential. Assessing the child's learning style begins with close observation in a variety of settings, which provides a generalized idea of the child's behavior. This is followed up by categorizing…

Articles on individualization in English language learning, a bibliography and list of selected additions to the English Teaching Information Centre archives (October 1977 - April 1978), and a list of recent publications are presented. An introduction by Elizabeth Smyth and the following articles are included: "Autonomy, Self-Directed Learning and…

Selected college and university programs established to assist adults in continuing their education, earning their degrees, and learning about whatever interests them are described, and an essay on lifelong learning is presented. In "Curriculum Development for Lifelong Learning," Charles S. Claxton describes how life cycle research,…

The philosophy known as Total Quality Management (TQM) is frequently presented as a way to change and improve public education. This issue of "Focus in Change" examines Deming's original 14 TQM points and their application to education. Myron Tribus lays out the core philosophy of the movement and discusses its possible application to…

Learning style is the way people concentrate on, internalize, and remember new and difficult knowledge or skills. It is composed of cognitive, motivational, and physiological elements that affect each person's ability to perceive, interact with, and respond to the learning environment. Extensive research documents the hypothesis that when students…

The purpose of this report is to describe the present education system in Spain as it relates to lifelong education. The report identifies criteria and methodological problems in educational planning aimed at transforming school systems along the lines of lifelong education. It then describes how these principles have been incorporated in the…

This document consists of one volume year (four quarterly issues) of the journal "HyperNexus", containing articles on hypermedia and multimedia use in education. Typical article topics are: obstacles to the widespread use of educational technology; software for Japanese language learning; information retention using interactive…

This document presents a theory of how the psychology and neurobiology of stimulus appraisal influence variability in second language acquisition, and extends the notion of affect developed for second language acquisition to primary language acquisition and to cognition in general. The first chapter lays out a psychological framework that develops…